Seidman moves on, Agriculture staffs up, Barron gets another role, in political notes

A senior aide to Senate President Bill Ferguson is leaving for the private sector.

Ross Seidman, senior counsel to the Baltimore Democrat and an eight-year veteran of the Senate leader’s office, will become vice president of advisory services at MD Energy Advisors, a Baltimore-based consulting firm. He officially leaves the office in September.

“Ross has been an invaluable member of our team and one of the most thoughtful public servants I’ve had the privilege to work alongside,” Ferguson said in a statement announcing Seidman’s departure. “His legal expertise, policy acumen, and steady leadership have helped shape some of the Senate’s most significant legislative accomplishments over the past eight years, including the Utility RELIEF Act, Next Generation Energy Act, and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.”

Seidman joined Ferguson’s office in 2018. Over that time, he served the Senate leader in several senior roles. He worked on broad range of policy issues with a focus on energy, the environment, data centers and public utilities.

MD Energy Advisors describes itself as “infusing art into energy by creating a dynamic customer experience that makes energy choices simple for everyone.”

The company, which is not a registered lobbyist, boasts a client list that includes Baltimore Gas and Electric, Washington Gas, the state of Maryland and the Maryland Energy Administration.

Seidman’s departure follows a difficult primary campaign for Ferguson. During that campaign, Ferguson was frequently criticized by Bobby LaPin, his Democratic primary opponent, for a cozy relationship with utilities.

Ferguson vows defense of election director

The leader of the Senate also weighed in on a Trump administration threat to criminally prosecute the state’s top election official.

Justice Department threatens Maryland’s top election official with criminal charges

On Tuesday, state Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis received a letter from the Department of Justice threatening criminal prosecution related to administration of voter rolls. The letter was similar if not identical to letters sent to elections officials in every state.

On Friday, Ferguson took to social media to criticize the letter and vow a defense for DeMarinis.

“The Department of Justice’s threat of criminal prosecution against Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis is not just an attack on one public servant. It is an attempt to intimidate the public servants responsible for administering Maryland’s elections according to the law,” Ferguson wrote on X. “Let me be absolutely clear: The State of Maryland will defend our public servants with the full faith and credit of the State against an out-of-control federal government.”

Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General does not typically handle criminal defenses. Should DeMarinis be arrested — even for charges related to his official duties — he would likely have to hire outside counsel.

New hires at Ag Department

A former aide to Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-3rd), Allie Carter Cavanagh, has been named director of legislative and government affairs at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, according to a news release from the department.

Cavanagh, a former music teacher, previously worked as a program manager for the Career & Technical Education Committee at the Maryland Department of Labor. She was Elfreth’s chief of staff during her final two years in the Maryland Senate, before Elfreth was elected to Congress.

“Allie’s impressive tenure navigating complex legislative environments and her deep background in policy make her uniquely equipped to champion our farmers at local, state and federal levels,” wrote Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks in the news release.

Atticks also tapped Rachel Felver, formerly the communications director for the Chesapeake Bay Program, to be the department’s communications director.

In previous roles, Felver worked in marketing for the National Aquarium in Baltimore and spent eight years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including as director of communications for the former Office of Environmental Information, according to the news release.

“Rachel’s decade of high-level communication leadership on critical regional issues like the Chesapeake Bay brings an immense asset to our team. Her unique ability to translate complex agency initiatives into meaningful, actionable public outreach will bridge the gap between the agency, the agricultural community and the public,” Atticks said in the release.

Another line for Barron’s resume

Current lawyer, former lawmaker, former U.S. Attorney, Erek L. Barron just picked up a new role: Chair of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission.

The commission announced Wednesday that Barron will succeed Ward B. Coe as chair of the commission that works to make the civil justice system accessible, equitabl, and fair and to dismantle institutional racism within the system.

Commission Executive Director Reena Shah said in a statement announcing the appointment that Barron’s “unique ability to build coalitions, lead systemic reform efforts, and bring together diverse stakeholders will help guide the Commission into its next chapter of impact and innovation.”

Barron worked with then-Sen. Joe Biden from 2007 to 2009 as counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. He represented Prince George’s County’s 24th District in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2021, when then-President Biden tapped him to be U.S. attorney for Maryland, becoming the first African American to hold the post.

Barron stepped down in February 2025, and has been part of the Mintz law firm’s Washington, D.C., office.

As incoming chair, Barron will “help lead the commission’s work to expand access to civil justice for all Marylanders through policy development, strategic partnerships, public education, and systemic reform initiatives,” the organization’s announcement said.

Barron said he is honored to be the next chair.

“Access to justice is fundamental to the strength and fairness of our communities,” his statement said. “Throughout my career, I have worked to advance accountability, equity, and opportunity within our legal system, and I look forward to working alongside the Commission’s dedicated leaders and partners to continue expanding meaningful access to civil justice for all Marylanders.”